REPORTEDLY it was Walter Scott who famously said, “Oh, what a tangled web we weave… when first we practice to deceive.” Leader of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo, at his press conference last week, urged the public not to participate in the Land Commission of Inquiry. It is his view that this commission is a waste of time since from his perspective it “will not solve a single issue people face.” To even utter such a statement suggests a woeful state of being omniscient, uninformed, or uncaring.

To ignore repeated calls to settle land ownership which has been a sore and divisive issue for decades is to ignore the issue and the reality and not to pay attention to the concerns of the people. There can be many reasons why Mr. Jagdeo is asking the public not to attend the inquiry and he is entitled to his view, including his right in making it public. What he is however not entitled to his is own facts, because facts are stubborn things and cannot be revised, ignored or denied.

In 2007 there was a motion sponsored in the National Assembly by the People’s National Congress Reform Member of Parliament Deborah Backer to set up a similar body as the present CoI to address the issue of regularising lands owned by Africans. Amerindians too have expressed similar concerns about land rights/ownership.
The 2007 motion was defeated by the majority People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Members of Parliament. If it is to be accepted the then PPP/C government of Mr. Jagdeo did not appreciate the need for the inquiry and settling of the issue, but it does not mean those who are affected by the matter being left unattended do not consider it an issue.

It is Mr. Jagdeo’s thinking the CoI will not improve race relations and Mr. Eric Phillips’ presentation to the CoI is “the generation of an argument of who came before who and whom got too much” which he disagrees with. Such disagreement is okay but equally as it is felt that dissent could be expressed by him, so too one must accept the right of others to differ.
The “little boy” who does not have a job, which Mr. Jagdeo thinks the CoI will not help, may or may not be true. What is undeniably true however is that they are little boys out there, with or without jobs, who can share a story of their families’ encounter with land problems either not transported or being contested. They would have an interest in the CoI because its findings and recommendations could impact their families’ lives and should not be hindered.
Allegations of racist policies and programmes have haunted Mr. Jagdeo’s presidency in almost every area, and while it may be considered these were part of his modus operandi or he didn’t care how such matters were viewed, for many they were and remain issues of contention.
Before the High Court is a case of him suing the Kaieteur News’ Publisher, Editor and a columnist for a column appearing in that newspapers which alleged his government was engaged in racist policies.  Evidence before the sitting Judge from none other than his Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Presidential Secretariat, is that no African-Guyanese was placed as Heads of Mission during his presidency because none was felt to be so deserving.
The Carter Centre Report on the 2015 General and Regional Elections saw it noteworthy to include the concerns of GECOM’s media monitoring unit about Mr. Jagdeo’s “ethnically divisive” campaign rhetoric. The said behaviour resulted in a private charge brought against him for racial incitement, which the Centre noted.  This matter is still engaging judicial attention for as at last month the Appeal Court granted an application by Magistrate Charlyn Artiga to extend the time to file an appeal in the case.
Guyana has had centuries of racial mistrust and conflicts nurtured from a society created on racism, which became a feature of everyday life and practice in the politics of divide and rule. This defect remains and continues to haunt. They are several instances where its ugliness has been used to further the agenda of a few, putting the collective well-being in peril.  Racial healing and changed behaviours require expression, honest and frank discourse, being prepared to listen to the other side, and where necessary moving to correct any perception or action that fuels the defect.
There is no denying Mr. Jagdeo has the distinction of being one of the most, if not the most, polarising political figure on issues of politics and race. Though he may consider the CoI unnecessary, those concerned with its work, irrespective of race, are being encouraged to participate.  Its existence allows opportunities to examine the issue which is a marked improvement on the 2007 PPP/C’s vote to deny this right.